The Latest: US judge temporarily blocks Trump's travel ban

Supporters chant during a rally where civil rights, faith groups, labor, and community advocates and leaders gathered at the Islamic Center of Southern California as part of a nationwide day of unity, Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, in Los Angeles, to respond to President Trump's slew of executive orders targeting refugees and immigrants. The show of support and news conference was put on by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(The Associated Press)

SEATTLE – The Latest on a lawsuit by Washington and Minnesota seeking to halt President Trump's immigration ban (all times local):

3:55 p.m.

A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's ban on people from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

U.S. District Judge James Robart granted a temporary restraining order Friday at the request of Washington state and Minnesota that's effective nationwide.

Trump signed an executive order last week that sparked protests across the country and confusion at airports as some travelers were detained.

Lawyers for the U.S. government argued that the states don't have standing to challenge the order and said Congress gave the president authority to make decisions on national security and admitting immigrants.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson had sued, saying the order is causing significant harm to residents and effectively mandates discrimination. Minnesota joined the suit this week.

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7:58 a.m.

Washington state and Minnesota officials are asking a federal judge for an immediate nationwide halt to the implementation of portions of President Donald Trump's immigration travel ban.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson says the state has a "profound interest" in protecting its citizens from the harms caused by what he called "the irrational discrimination" embodied in Trump's order. A hearing is scheduled for Friday afternoon. Trump issued an executive order last week prohibiting people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from crossing U.S. borders.

Washington and Minnesota want a temporary restraining order while the court considers their lawsuit, which says key sections of the order are unconstitutional.

Ferguson says the order is causing significant harm to Washington residents and businesses.

The Washington-based businesses of Amazon, Expedia and Microsoft support the state's efforts to stop the order.